Engine

The EPA warns that prolonged contact with used engine oil may cause a number of skin disorders, including cancer! You should make every effort to minimize your exposure to used engine oil. Protective gloves should be worn when changing the oil. Wash your hands and any other exposed skin areas as soon as possible after exposure to used engine oil. Soap and water, or waterless hand cleaner should be used.

OIL LEVEL CHECK

See Figures 1 and 2

As often as you stop for fuel, check the engine oil as follows:

Park the vehicle on a level surface (if the vehicle is not level, the reading will not be completely accurate).

Fig. Fig. 1: Use the oil dipstick to check the oil level

If the vehicle has been running, stop the engine and allow it to sit for a full three minutes. If the engine is cold, check the oil before starting it. It does not matter whether the oil is hot or cold, as long as it has had time to drain out of the engine itself and into the oil pan.

Fig. Fig. 2: Fill the engine slowly with oil until the oil level registers between the MAX and MIN marks

Open the hood and locate the dipstick (refer to the owner's manual, if necessary). It consists of a ring-like handle running into a tube which is connected to the engine. Pull the dipstick out and wipe all the oil off the bottom with a clean rag. If this is not done, you will not get an accurate reading of the oil level.

Re-insert the dipstick and make sure it goes all the way into the tube. Then, pull it out and read it on the side with the oil level scale (two lines, two dots, etc.).

If the oil level is above the lower line, although the oil level is high enough, you should still add enough oil to bring the level up to the upper mark. Usually the amount of oil needed to bring the level from the lower mark to the upper mark is one quart, however you should fill the oil slowly and check often. It is important not to overfill the engine.

If it is right near or at the lower line, add oil slowly (
1
/
3
or
1
/
2
quart) and check the level often. Fill the oil up to the upper mark, but do not overfill.

If the oil is below the lower line, add oil,
1
/
3
or
1
/
2
quart at a time, until the level is at the upper mark. A beginning level below the lower line indicates that either you are not checking the oil level frequently enough or that the engine is using too much oil.

Running the engine with the oil below the lower line may contribute to excessive heat and dirt in the oil, and will leave you with insufficient reserve to allow for normal oil consumption-you could run out on the road. However, you should not add oil to the point where the level is significantly above the upper line. Under these conditions, the rotating crankshaft will cause the oil to foam, which can be damaging to the engine and will sometimes cause valve train noise.

To add oil, unscrew the cap on the valve cover on top of the engine and pour the oil into the engine. Avoid letting any dirt get into the engine, and make sure to reinstall the cap before starting the engine.

OIL AND FILTER CHANGE

See Figures 3 through 13

It may be a good idea to look under the vehicle, before starting any service procedure, to orientate yourself with the necessary components and locations.

The mileage figures given in the Maintenance Intervals chart are the factory recommended intervals for oil and filter changes assuming you are driving your vehicle under average conditions. Make sure to read the footnote concerning decreasing the change interval for certain types of driving and adhere to the recommendations.

While Mitsubishi recommends changing the oil filter only every other oil change (after the initial change), we recommend changing the filter every time because of the extra insurance this provides. Not only will this help guarantee that the oil filter will work effectively (the filter bypasses dirty oil directly to engine parts when it gets saturated with dirt); but changing the filter removes at least an additional quart of dirty oil from the engine oil passages. Purchase oil which conforms to all the specifications listed earlier. Make sure that the filter you purchase is specified for your particular vehicle model, year, and engine type. The filter must be able to withstand 256 psi (1764 kPa) to conform to factory specifications.

Fig. Fig. 3: Engine oil drain plug-all models similar

Fig. Fig. 4: Engine oil dipstick markings-2.4L engine

Fig. Fig. 5: Engine oil dipstick markings-3.0L engine

Always drain the oil after the engine has been running long enough to bring it to operating temperature. It's best to actually drive the vehicle until the temperature gauge reaches normal operating temperature to help ensure the oil will be as warm as possible. Hot oil will flow out of the oil pan more easily and will keep contaminants in suspension so that they will be removed with the oil instead of staying in the pan. You will need a large capacity oil pan-usually about 6 qts. (5.68L). Just make sure the capacity of the pan is greater than the oil pan and filter as shown in the Capacities Chart. You will also need a strap wrench to loosen the filter, and an ordinary set of open-end wrenches. You can purchase tools and supplies at any store which sells automotive parts. It is also necessary for you to have some clean rags available to clean up inevitable spills.

You should also make plans to dispose properly of the used oil. Sometimes a local service station or garage will sell its used oil to a reprocessor. You may be able to add your used oil to his oil drain tank.

Warm the engine as described above.

Turn the engine
OFF
and remove the oil filler cap.

Support the vehicle securely on jackstands or ramps. If you can work under the vehicle at its normal height, this is okay provided the wheels are chocked.

WARNING

Never crawl under the vehicle when it's supported only by a jack designed for tire changing.

Fig. Fig. 6: Use a floor jack to safely raise the vehicle-not a bumper or scissors jack

Fig. Fig. 7: Jackstands are a must to securely support a raised vehicle and create a safer work environment

Place the drain pan under the oil pan. It should be located where the stream of oil running out of the drain hole will run into the pan-not just directly below the drain hole.

Loosen the drain plug using a box wrench or a ratchet, short extension and socket. Turn the plug out slowly by hand, using a rag to shield your fingers from the hot oil. By keeping inward pressure on the plug with your fingers as you unscrew it, oil won't escape past the threads and you can remove it without being burned by hot oil.

Quickly withdraw the drain plug and move your hands out of the way, but make sure you keep hold of the plug so that it does not drop into the pan. Wipe the plug with a clean rag. Put it in a safe place-one where it won't get kicked or bumped out of sight. As the oil drains, the stream may shift as the level in the pan changes. Keep your eye on the stream and shift the pan as needed.

Fig. Fig. 8: Loosen the oil pan drain plug-make sure a drain container is in position

Fig. Fig. 9: Try to keep the oil pan plug from dropping into the drain pan-be careful of hot oil, which can cause painful burns

Fig. Fig. 10: Allow the engine oil to drain completely and move the drain pan to keep it under the flow of dirty oil

Allow the oil to drain completely in the pan, then install and carefully tighten the drain plug. Use a new drain plug washer if necessary. Be careful not to overtighten the drain plug, otherwise you will be buying a new pan or a trick replacement plug for stripped threads.

Move the pan under the oil filter. Use a strap-type or cap-type wrench to loosen the oil filter. Cover your hand with a rag and spin the filter off by hand; turn it slowly. Keep in mind that it's holding about one quart of dirty, hot oil. Empty the filter into the drain pan.

If the oil filter cannot be loosened by conventional methods, punch a hole through both sides at the mounting base of the filter, insert a punch and use it to break the oil filter loose. After the oil filter is loosened, remove the oil filter from the engine with a oil filter type wrench or by hand.

Fig. Fig. 11: Use an oil filter wrench to loosen the old filter, but not to tighten the new one

With a clean rag, wipe off the filter adapter on the engine block. Make sure that no lint from the rag remains on the adapter as it could clog an oil passage. Also make sure the rubber gasket from the old filter did not remain on the adapter.

Using your finger, apply a film of new oil to the rubber gasket on the top of the new oil filter. Read the directions on the side of the filter, or on the box it came in, to ascertain how tightly it should be installed. Carefully screw the new filter onto the oil filter mounting pad. If the filter becomes immediately difficult to turn, it is probably crossthreaded. Remove the filter and continue to install it until the filter goes on and turns easily. Once the threads do start, turn the filter gently until it just touches the engine block; it will suddenly get harder to turn at this point.

Fig. Fig. 12: Before installing a new oil filter, coat the rubber gasket with a film of clean oil

You may want to mark the filter at this point so you'll know just how far you turn it. By hand, turn it an additional
1
/
2
-
3
/
4
turn, or as specified by the filter manufacturer. If the filter is turned past this point, the rubber gasket may leak.

Wipe the drain plug area on the oil pan and carefully reinstall the drain plug. Just as with the filter, be careful not to crossthread the plug. It will easily turn well past the point where the threads have started if it's not crossthreaded.

Lower the vehicle back down to the ground.

Pour in oil to the full capacity of the oil pan and filter, as specified in the Capacities Chart. Reinstall the filler cap. Just as a precaution, remove the dipstick and check the oil level. If the oil level is slightly over the upper mark on the dipstick, this is alright because the new filter has not yet been filled with oil. After the engine has been run, however, the oil level should have dropped to below the upper mark.

Fig. Fig. 13: Fill the engine with the amount of oil specified in the Capacities Chart at the end of this section. Be careful not to overfill the engine, which could result in damaged engine parts

Once the engine has enough oil, start the engine, preferably without touching the throttle, as there will be no oil pressure for 10 seconds or more while the oil pump fills the filter and engine oil passages. Allow the engine to idle at the lowest possible speed until the oil light goes out or the gauge shows that oil pressure has been established. If you do not get oil pressure within 15 to 30 seconds, stop the engine and investigate. Once oil pressure is established, leave the engine running and inspect the filter and oil plug for leaks. If there is slight leakage around the filter, you might want to try to tighten it just a bit more to stop the leaks. Usually, if you've tightened it properly, the only cause of leakage is a defective filter or gasket, which would have to be replaced before you drive the truck.

Turn the engine
OFF
, allow the oil to drain into the pan, recheck the level, and add oil as needed.